Mustangs pull off improbable win, keep ACC title hopes alive

UNIVERSITY PARK — In front of a packed crowd on homecoming, SMU pulled off the improbable, upsetting a top-10 team at Ford Stadium for the first time ever.

The Mustangs (6-3, 4-1) defeated the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (6-2, 2-2) 26-20 in overtime, marking their first win over an AP top-10 team since 1983. The win keeps the Mustangs’ hopes of reaching the ACC title game alive and effectively ends Miami’s, as the Hurricanes suffered their second loss in ACC play.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings and the Mustang offense got the ball back with 2:10 seconds at their own 10-yard line and drove downfield to set up a 38-yard field goal by Sam Keltner to tie the game at 20-20 with 25 seconds left.

Ahmaad Moses made his second of two interceptions in the first overtime, and TJ Harden sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Sports Roundup

Here are five thoughts from the win.

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee celebrates with fans on the field following his team's 26-20... A season-altering win?

The Mustangs’ hopes of returning to Charlotte, N.C., this year are still alive.

After losing to Wake Forest on the road last week, the Mustangs needed to win out … as well as some help from other ACC teams losing. They made the field of teams still in contention for a spot in the ACC championship game even smaller, as Miami now is effectively out of the race.

Jennings led a game-tying drive with 2:10 remaining in regulation to tie the contest at 20-20 with 25 seconds remaining. In overtime, Moses intercepted Miami quarterback Carson Beck on third down. Harden scored the game-winning touchdown for SMU on the next drive.

The Mustangs won their first matchup over an top 10 team since Jan. 1, 1983, when the Mustangs beat No. 6 Pitt in the Cotton Bowl. SMU had never beaten a top 10 team at Ford Stadium.

Saturday’s game featured nine lead changes and ties. It was SMU’s first win in a game decided by a single score this season, as the Ponies entered Saturday 0-2 in such situations.

Representatives from the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Frisco Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl and others were in attendance at Saturday’s game. SMU’s sixth win means it is bowl eligible for the seventh consecutive year. But SMU still has a glimmer of hope left for a return to the College Football Playoff.

Questionable field goal call a momentum-shifter

SMU had the chance to tie the game at 20-20 with 6:25 to play. Kicker Sam Keltner attempted a 42-yard field goal that appeared good, but officials ruled it a wide-right miss.

Keltner’s kick sailed over the right upright, and it was difficult to tell which side of the upright the ball was primarily on.

The rule states the entire ball must pass inside the vertical plane defined by the uprights to be a successful kick. Officials decided that was not the case.

Rhett Lashlee discussed with officials as fans at Ford Stadium booed, but the play could not be reviewed.

Miami received the ball back with 6:24 to play, still leading 20-17.

Ultimately, SMU had another chance to tie the game later in the half, and Keltner made sure there was no question, drilling a 38-yarder down the middle.

Injured Kevin Jennings leads SMU offense that turns it on at halftime

Jennings has shown time and time again this season that as long as he can walk, he will play.

But Saturday late in the third quarter, he returned to the game even after he couldn’t put any pressure on one leg.

Jennings was tackled by the ankle, aggravating an injury he’s had all year. He hopped to the sidelines on one leg, and true freshman Ty Hawkins took his place. Two plays later, Jennings returned to the game and helped SMU get three points on the board.

The SMU quarterback finished with a season-high 365 yards passing, two total touchdowns and zero interceptions on 29-of-44 passing Saturday.

A week after SMU’s offense went silent at Wake Forest, Jennings and the Mustangs couldn’t muster up much against Miami in the first half.

The Mustangs’ lone first-half touchdown drive came after a Moses interception that set them up on the Miami 28. Jennings found Yamir Knight a play later to tie the score at 7-7.

By halftime, SMU finished with just 121 yards of total offense. SMU’s best possession of the half was its first, a nine-play, 52-yard drive that ended in a fumble on a fourth-down conversion attempt when Jennings attempted to hand it off to RJ Maryland.

But SMU’s offense came alive in the second half. On their opening drive of the third quarter, Jennings nearly fumbled and gave Miami the football in the red zone, but it was ruled an incomplete pass. That started what would become a nine-play, 79-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by the quarterback.

SMU added six more points later in the half on field goals of 43 yards and 38 yards by Keltner. The latter tied the game and forced overtime.

Ahmaad Moses leads SMU defense that forces Miami errors, makes key stops

SMU safety Ahmaad Moses hauled in two interceptions Saturday, including one in overtime that set up the game-winning touchdown drive.

Both of Moses’ interceptions to SMU touchdowns. The first was one he bobbled in the first half, leading to a Knight touchdown one play later.

SMU’s defense had another complete performance, especially in the first half as SMU’s offense struggled to get going. SMU’s defense forced error after error by Miami to keep it a three-point game at halftime.

Miami’s offense committed nine penalties for 65 yards compared to just four for 40 yards for SMU total.

SMU’s defense made a stop on 4th-and-1 for the fifth consecutive game, stopping Miami on a third-quarter drive where the Hurricanes were seeking to take a two-score lead. They also had a stop on 3rd-and-1 in the fourth quarter, forcing Miami to settle for a field goal.

The Hurricanes were never able to pull away despite dominating possession of the ball, with a differential of more than 15 minutes compared to the Mustangs.

SMU’s defense took half a season to find its stride, but now in the heart of ACC play, the Mustangs certainly seem to have found it.

Mustangs’ run game stymied again

SMU’s run game found its stride early this season behind UCLA transfer Harden, but over the last two weeks, SMU’s backs have struggled.

On Saturday against Miami, SMU totaled 23 yards rushing on 25 attempts. Miami’s defensive line outmuscled SMU’s offensive line, and SMU had to turn to the pass game and an injured quarterback for almost all of its offense. Luckily for SMU, Jennings and wide receiver Jordan Hudson (136 yards on 11 catches) had career days.

Meanwhile, this week the Mustang defense, which has stopped the run well, allowed 159 yards on 40 carries by Miami.

But Harden was able to find the end zone on a run that mattered most, sealing the win in overtime.

Photos: SMU fans rush the field, Mustangs celebrate after upset win over Miami

Southern Methodist Mustangs running back T.J. Harden (27) is tackled by Miami Hurricanes... View GalleryMore coverage from SMU-Miami